Read articles from Australia

July 09, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

Smoking and vaping rates among young Australians, particularly in the 18 to 24 age group, have surged despite a ban on vapes. Data shows 28% engage in smoking or vaping, with significant increases seen within a year. Vaping rates are at 20.5%, while cigarette use also rose. The ban on vapes has not curbed usage, leading to concerns of a shift to illicit tobacco products. Organized crime is thriving due to the rise in black market tobacco sales. Efforts to combat non-therapeutic vaping have had unintended consequences, with young adults being disproportionately affected. Illicit vape sales now outnumber legal ones in Australia.

June 30, 2025 by ajp.com.au

Efforts to limit access to nicotine vaping products are showing positive outcomes, according to Australia’s Minister for Health, Mark Butler. Speaking in a Pharmacy Guild of Australia webinar, he said that reforms aimed at reducing youth vaping are working, highlighting the success of new sales restrictions.

June 23, 2025 by theguardian.com

Australia is struggling with an ineffective approach to reducing nicotine use, sparking debate on combating the rise of illicit tobacco trade. Experts James Martin and Edward Jegasothy propose revamping tobacco taxation and vaping regulations. They argue that expensive legal cigarettes and restricted e-cigarette sales fuel the illegal market. Despite successful anti-smoking efforts, officials push for stricter enforcement over lower tobacco taxes. Calls for harm reduction strategies, including temporary excise removal and wider vape availability, arise. Concerns persist about illicit trade's impact on public health, with emphasis on balancing risks of smoking and vaping. Experts advocate for controlling supply and updating regulations to address the evolving tobacco landscape.

June 23, 2025 by vaping360.com

Australia's legal vape market collapsed due to a government mandate forcing sales to pharmacies, leading to a thriving illicit market controlled in part by organized crime. Government data reveal that legal sales make up just 1 in 1,700 transactions, while over 10 million vapes are sold monthly on the black market. The pharmacy-only system, introduced in 2024, lacks widespread support among pharmacies, with only 700 out of 5,900 participating. This approach contrasts with the previous accessibility of vaping products. The failed policy has exacerbated black-market activities, decreased tobacco tax revenues, and spurred criminal involvement in the vape trade, resulting in violent conflicts among gangs. Legalizing and regulating vapes as consumer goods is a potential remedy.

June 20, 2025 by vaping360.com

The Australian government's mandate to sell vapes only in pharmacies has led to the destruction of the legal vape market, creating a booming illicit market. Government documents show that only 1 out of 1,700 vape transactions are legal. Illicit sales dominate, with over 10 million vapes sold illegally monthly. Legal vapes are limited to certain flavors in plain packaging. Australia's vape bans and restrictive laws have failed since 2008. Efforts to eliminate the black market have backfired, leading to increased organized crime involvement and violence. To solve the issue, vapes should be legalized and regulated as consumer products, but the government needs to acknowledge the failure of its current pharmacy-only approach.

June 12, 2025 by theguardian.com

Economists suggest freezing or reducing the tobacco excise to tackle Australia's booming illegal cigarette market, as raising the excise further has failed to curb smoking rates. However, public health advocates warn against drastic tax cuts. The excise, which has tripled in the past decade, comprises a major portion of cigarette prices. Despite successful past policies reducing smoking rates, current measures are ineffective. Border seizures of illegal tobacco have surged, prompting calls for stronger enforcement over tax decreases. Experts argue that the excise level has become counterproductive, suggesting a temporary radical cut. The excise rate, now heavily indexed and escalating annually, needs revision to combat illicit tobacco trade.

May 15, 2025 by yourlocalexaminer.com.au

Vapes and e-cigarettes are now banned in enclosed workplaces in Western Australia under updated safety laws. The regulations aim to protect workers from harmful vapours, treating vaping like tobacco smoking. The rules, covering general and mining workplaces, include heated tobacco products. Employers must have clear policies, designated outdoor areas, and consider specific risks, such as children's presence. The change reflects growing health concerns around vaping's dangers, including life-threatening illnesses and cancer from hazardous substances in e-cigarettes. The government's focus on worker safety is highlighted through these new laws.

May 09, 2025 by ajp.com.au

Pharmacy ordering company Pharmx has noted a significant increase in demand for nicotine vapes, with a nearly 500% rise in revenue from vapes in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Availability of nicotine vapes is highlighted as a driving factor in the surge.

May 05, 2025 by westernstandard.news

Australia's tobacco excise revenue plummeted to $7.4 billion AUD this year from $16.3 billion AUD in 2019‑20, despite high taxes. Smokers turned to cheaper contraband due to tax hikes, leading to a 50% revenue drop in five years. Canadian authorities should pay attention as they increase taxes and regulations, resulting in a rise in vape store robberies across the country.

April 28, 2025 by theconversation.com

Cannabis vaping has become popular in Australia, particularly among young people using discreet devices like "penjamins" to vape cannabis oil. While cannabis vapes are illegal in Australia, illicit products are still available. The practice poses health risks, with high THC concentrations potentially leading to addiction, psychosis, and respiratory problems. Solvents and additives in cannabis vapes can also cause severe lung injuries. Comparing the risks of cannabis and nicotine vapes is complex, as both have different health implications, especially for young users.